ExxonMobil Chemical's Santoprene TPV 85TL Bonds with Metal to Simplify Automotive...

ExxonMobil Chemical's Santoprene TPV 85TL Bonds with Metal to Simplify Automotive Weatherseal Fabrication

HOUSTON--(Business Wire)--
ExxonMobil Chemical's Santoprene(TM) thermoplastic vulcanizate
(TPV) 8291-85TL bonds directly to metal to simplify weatherseal
fabrication. This grade is suitable for virtually any automotive
weatherseal application where metal and TPV surfaces can be joined in
a co-extrusion process.

Santoprene TPV 8291-85TL is used as a tie layer between a TPV and
the metal portions of a weatherseal. Because of a strong cohesive
chemical bond with the metal, it eliminates solvent-based primer and
adhesive systems as well as the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they
generate.

Elastomer-to-metal weatherseal applications typically have relied
on a combination of thermoset rubber and commercial adhesives to
create a bond. Adhesive systems can be complex to apply, generally
requiring mechanical cleaning or sand blasting, chemical vapor
degreasing, solvent wiping, and masking to prevent excess primer or
adhesive, both of which can affect sealing functionality and
aesthetics.

"This specialty grade can significantly cut labor costs by
reducing the number of steps involved compared with an adhesive
bonding system," said Lisa Dimitrijevs, market manager, automotive
weatherseals, ExxonMobil Chemical. "We expect it will create many
TPV-to-metal application opportunities."

Santoprene TPV 8291-85TL creates a consistent bond enabling the
manufacture of high quality parts with complex designs. Bonding
successfully to cold rolled steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel,
aluminum, copper and more, Santoprene TPV 8291-85TL can be used in
automotive weatherseal applications including metal supported belt
line seals or division bars, lower sash seals and door trim. Other
non-automotive applications include sealing devices, grips and sound
dampening panels.

The adhesion strength of Santoprene TPV 8291-85TL to stainless
steel and aluminum is comparable to using a commercial adhesive
system. In tests on finished coextruded profiles, peel strengths of 30
to 55 pounds per linear inch were obtained.

Automotive weatherseal applications benefit from Santoprene TPV
because it offers reduced weight, lower system costs, design
flexibility and recyclability with the equivalent long-term sealing
performance and weatherability of thermoset rubber.

ExxonMobil Chemical is a technology leader in TPV bonding grades
and weatherseal systems. It has a broad portfolio of Santoprene TPVs
that bond to rubber, plastics and metal, providing innovative
multi-functional sealing system solutions.

About ExxonMobil Chemical

ExxonMobil Chemical is a global leader in technology, product
quality and customer service with petrochemical manufacturing and/or
marketing operations around the world. For more information visit:
www.exxonmobilchemical.com.

About ExxonMobil Chemical's specialty elastomers

ExxonMobil Chemical offers customers one of the industry's
broadest portfolios of specialty elastomer products. This includes
Vistamaxx(TM) specialty elastomers, Santoprene(TM) brand TPVs,
Vistalon(TM) EPDM (conventional and metallocene catalyst), Exact(TM)
plastomers and Exxelor(TM) modifiers. These products provide
innovative elastomeric solutions combined with global support in
material selection, design, processing, and supply chain management.

Note to Editors:

1. The terms, "we," "our," "ExxonMobil Chemical," or "ExxonMobil"
are used for convenience, and may include any one or more of
ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, or any
affiliates they directly or indirectly steward.

2. The ExxonMobil Logo, the Interlocking X Device, ExxonMobil,
Vistamaxx, Santoprene, Vistalon, Exact, and Exxelor are trademarks of
ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil Chemical
Craig Jensen, +1-330-849-5008
or
Media Line, +1-281-870-6607

Copyright Business Wire 2008